Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters

between the European Community and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam amending the Memorandum of Understanding between the European Community and the Government of Vietnam, on the prevention of fraud in trade in footwear products

A. Letter from the Community

Brussels, 6 May 2003

Sir,

1. I have the honour to refer to the negotiations held between our respective delegations on the 28 November 2002 with a view to amending the Memorandum of Understanding between the European Community and the Government of Vietnam on the prevention of fraud in trade in footwear products, applied provisionally from 1 January 2000.

2. As a result of those negotiations, it was agreed to amend the Memorandum of Understanding as follows:

(a) Article 3(3) shall be supplemented by the following:"Subject to an administrative arrangement to be entered into between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Community, the transmission of this information by electronic means may replace the issue of export certificates in paper form.";

(b) Article 7(2) shall be replaced by the following:"This Memorandum of Understanding shall be applied until 31 December 2004."

3. I should be obliged if you would confirm the agreement of your Government to the contents of this letter.

Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration.

For the European Community

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B. Letter from the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Brussels, 6 May 2003

Sir,

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 6 May 2003 which reads as follows:

"1. I have the honour to refer to the negotiations held between our respective delegations on the 28 November 2002 with a view to amending the Memorandum of Understanding between the European Community and the Government of Vietnam on the prevention of fraud in trade in footwear products, applied provisionally from 1 January 2000.

2. As a result of those negotiations, it was agreed to amend the Memorandum of Understanding as follows:

(a) Article 3(3) shall be supplemented by the following:'Subject to an administrative arrangement to be entered into between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Community, the transmission of this information by electronic means may replace the issue of export certificates in paper form.';

(b) Article 7(2) shall be replaced by the following:'This Memorandum of Understanding shall be applied until 31 December 2004.'

3. I should be obliged if you would confirm the agreement of your Government to the contents of this letter."

I have the honour to confirm that my Government is in agreement with the contents of this letter.

Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration.

For the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

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